Michigan Milk Messenger: December 2014

Messenger Michigan Milk

The official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association

Inside

www.mimilk.com Vol. 97 Issue 6 DECEMBER 2014

Local Meetings • NDB/UDIA/NMPF Meeting

Michigan Milk Messenger

contents EDITOR’S LETTER

4 6 8 10

MMPA Matters

MMPA Poised to Face 2015 Challenges

Quality Watch

Merchandise Warehouse and Field Offices Have Moved!

News & Views 2014-2015 Local Meetings

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FEATURES

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NDB/UDIA/NMPF

Joint Annual Meeting

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Partners in Progress

Head, Heart, Hands, Husband

2014 MMPA District 11 OYDC Steve & Danielle Berens

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Creating a World of Opportunities

2014 NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

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Milk is a Liquid Asset Don’t Dump it Down the Drain!

MMPA Milker Training Schools

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Messenger | December 2014

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Managing Editor.......................................................Sheila Burkhardt Editor......................................................................Alex Schnabelrauch Advertising Manager............................................Nancy Muszynski Circulation..........................................................................................2,972 An Equal Opportunity Employer – F/M/V/D Michigan Milk Messenger (USPS 345-320) is the official publication of Michigan Milk Producers Association, published monthly since June 1919. Subscriptions: MPA members, 50¢ per year; non-members, $5 per year.

41310 Bridge Street P.O. Box 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

Telephone: 248-474-6672 FAX: 248-474-0924 www.mimilk.com

Periodical postage paid at Novi, MI and at additional offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Michigan Milk Messenger, PO Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8002.

(ISSN 0026-2315)

22 Michigan’s food and agriculture system has surpassed its economic impact goal of $100 billion.

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Movin’ On Up

2014 MMPA District 12 OYDC Matt & Emily Grams

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Agriculture Economic Impact

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Food, Agriculture Industry Surpasses $100 Billion

2014-2015 MMPA Local Officers

MSU CANR

College Hits 40-Year Enrollment High

Departments

Cover

32 Merchandise

As winter approaches and

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the holiday season nears,

Quality Premiums

34 Freeliners 36

Classifieds

37 Policies 38

Market Report

39

Staff

we wish all our members and friends a season filled with peace and happiness.

Merry Christmas!

Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) Michigan Milk Producers Association, established in 1916, is a member owned and operated dairy cooperative serving approximately 2,000 dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Ken Nobis, President

Ken Nobis, St. Johns................................ 989-224-6170 or 248-474-6672, ext. 201 Rodney Daniels, Whittemore................................................................989-756-4935 Dan Javor, Hastings.................................................................................269-948-8345 Mark Halbert, Battle Creek................................................................... 269-964-0511 James Reid, Jeddo...................................................................................810-327-6830

Bob Kran, Vice President

District Directors

Mark Halbert, Treasurer

1. Hank Choate, Cement City................................................................517-529-9032 2. Tim Hood, Paw Paw............................................................................269-657-5771 3. Bob Kran, Free Soil..............................................................................231-464-5889 4. John Kronemeyer, Pickford...............................................................906-647-7638 5. Brent Wilson, Carson City..................................................................989-584-3481 6. Tony Jandernoa, Fowler.....................................................................989-593-2224 7. Eric Frahm, Frankenmuth..................................................................989-652-3552 8. Leonard Brown, Sandusky................................................................810-648-4505

Board of Directors Officers

Joe Diglio, General Manager/ Secretary, Assistant Treasurer Todd Hoppe, General Counsel

Messenger | December 2014

Directors-At-Large

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MMPA Matters

MMPA Poised to Face 2015 Challenges It feels as though I can almost reach out and touch the New Year as the calendar rolls around to December.

Some years I can’t wait for a new beginning, and other years I just want to savor the past. This year I am somewhat conflicted.

I didn’t really enjoy last winter – too severe – although forecasts suggest I should maybe get used to the idea. The summer didn’t meet my expectations either. Some like it hot, and I’m one of them. But the cows would disagree. I should probably go along with them, since they pay the bills.

Messenger | December 2014

While I didn’t like the weather, I definitely enjoyed the level of mild summer milk production. It was nice to see high levels of production coincide with record milk prices.

Although milk prices might not return to that level soon, I think we can count on milk production continuing to increase in our membership area.

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Continuing growth in production means our co-op will need to grow opportunities to accommodate the increased volumes coming from our member farms. We have already moved forward to increase manufacturing capacity at our own plants as well as the volumes processed by new customers at plants other than those we own. The high quality milk produced by our members greatly aids in our ongoing search for new customers. But there still will be challenges.

MMPA members aren’t the only producers in our membership area expanding milk production. The production growth will, from time to time, tax the manufacturing capabilities of MMPA and others which can interfere with the movement of milk and necessitate adept management to prevent disruptions in the marketplace.

MMPA has been able to adapt to the situation when it has happened in the past, handling the increased volumes through our own plants with minor disruptions for short periods of time. We strive to avoid any disruptions, of course, but that is difficult when production is increasing and processing capacity is limited.

Growing pains that result from increased volumes of milk are inevitable, but I think MMPA is well suited to take advantage of the growth we are experiencing in our membership area. MMPA is financially strong with a wellbalanced product portfolio. We have a piece of the fluid, butter, powder and cheese markets. We would like the fluid market to be larger, but the reality is the fluid market is shrinking with no apparent turn-around on the horizon. We routinely evaluate other uses for our product and look to the next best thing.

We have made good decisions in recent years that are paying off now and will continue to pay into the future. For example, we have expanded butter production capabilities at a time when butter is experiencing a massive resurgence

Ken Nobis

by

President

in popularity. We have a world class dryer capable of producing powder products that meet the exact specifications of customers around the globe. We are moving forward in cooperation with another co-op, Foremost Farms, to expand our Constantine plant in a manner that will benefit members of both coops. Collaborations such as this are vital to our members.

MMPA is sized right for this environment of fast-paced change in the milk industry when agility matters. The ability to meet the customers’ demands rapidly is very important. We start with the foundation that comes from having the highest quality milk coming off of our farms, and then our staff members apply their talent and skills to build on that foundation to obtain the best returns possible for our member owners.

While I might be in conflict about leaving 2014, I’m not conflicted about what I see ahead for MMPA. I think the building blocks are all there for success in 2015 and the years beyond. We will continue to strive to be even better than we have been in the past as we fulfill our mission to “market our members’ milk to the greatest advantage possible.” Hang on; I think it is going to be an experience you won’t want to miss.

QUALITY Watch

Merchandise Warehouse and Field Offices Have Moved!

As most of our members are aware, our merchandise warehouse and field offices have relocated. There is an old song titled “North to Alaska.” Well, we did go north, but not quite that far. We headed 20 miles north from St. Louis to Mt. Pleasant on September 11.

While letters have been sent and the move was mentioned in last month’s Messenger, we wanted to let everyone know exactly why we moved and what led us to this location.

The big question has been, why not remain in the St. Louis area?

Messenger | December 2014

Well, we required a considerable amount of warehouse space as well as office space for both our merchandise and field departments. In addition to space, we also required easy access to the highway and the main roads.

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With these needs in mind, we started our search in St. Louis. When that proved fruitless, we expanded our search to a 50-mile radius. We discovered there were not many buildings that met our criteria within this search area and certainly none in St. Louis. There was one building that did meet our needs, and it was located at 1996 Gover Parkway in Mt. Pleasant.

So the next question is, why move at all? What prompted the decision to move lock, stock and barrel from a seemingly perfect location?

The simple answer is we needed more space. We had several discussions with our former leaseholder in regards to expansion, and they made it clear they were unwilling to make the necessary investment. There were also several structural items, including roof replacement, which badly needed to be addressed. In addition, there were several electrical and plumbing upgrades needed to allow us to plan for the future. Again, our leaseholder was unwilling to respond to these concerns.

Because the location was so attractive, we asked if the building was available for purchase, allowing us to make the needed improvements ourselves. The owners made it clear they had no interest in selling at any price. So, after all this discussion, we loaded up our trucks and moved to Mt. Pleasant.

Moving even a household can be a daunting task, let alone a field office full of furniture and a warehouse full of merchandise. We were fortunate to have not only our dedicated warehouse staff, but several of our hardworking member representatives participate in this move.

With the help of this hardworking crew, we completed the move in just two days! The warehouse closed on Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12 to make the move. We reopened on Monday, September 15 and resumed normal operations. I cannot express my thanks enough to this hardworking crew of “professional” movers. It would have been an impossible task without them.

Duane Farmer

by

Merchandise Supervisor

While we are asking the questions, where and why, we should also ask the question “what?” As in, what does this move allow us to do in the future?

This move not only gives us some much needed space, it allows us to bring in some new technology to better serve our members. The new technology I’m referring to is the M1 teat dip mixing system from Ecolab.

This system, when installed, will allow us to mix both iodine and noniodine dips from concentrate using our own water supply. This should ultimately result in lower costs for our members. We plan to have this system installed by March 2015.

In addition to our Merchandise Department, the Mt. Pleasant location will house our Northeast and Northwest Area Field Offices.

We will have plenty of room for our field staff to hold informational and training sessions at this new location.

The larger space also allows us to create a hands-on training module which will help our representatives better diagnose performance and cleaning issues on members’ farms.

If you find yourself in the Mt. Pleasant area for any reason, please feel free to pay us a visit. We would be very happy to give a personalized tour of the new facility. As always, please contact us with any merchandise or move-related questions.

Main line: 989-317-8370 Toll free: 877-367-6455 Fax: 989-317-8372

news & views

U.S. Cow Numbers, Production on the Rise The USDA announced October’s Class III milk price is $23.82 per hundredweight, down 78 cents from September’s record price, but $5.60 above October 2013. For the year, the Class III price has averaged $22.83. The Class IV price in October is $21.35, $1.23 lower than last month’s price, but $1.37 above October 2013.

September 2014 national milk production rose 4 percent from last year, one of the highest annual increases in recent years. U.S. milk cow numbers were an estimated 9.267 million head, 2,000 more than August 2014, and 59,000 more than September 2013.

Pour it Forward Campaign Continues Until Dec. 16

Messenger | December 2014

As milk is the most requested item by food banks across the nation, Michigan Kroger stores, in cooperation with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, will encourage customers to donate a gallon of milk to a local family in need. Expanded from last year, the “Pour it Forward” campaign’s goal is to donate 50,000 gallons of milk during the Nov. 5 to Dec. 16 campaign. Promote the campaign and support your neighbors at Kroger as the holiday season approaches.

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Upcoming Dates December Local Meetings Begin…

18 Advisory Committee Meeting, Novi January Local Meetings Continue…

Agriculture Commission and MDARD Seek Public Input on Agricultural Management Practices

Wardin Named USFRA Face of Farming and Ranching The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced that Carla Wardin – MMPA member, Dairy Communicator and 2012 OYDC – was selected as one of five winners in the Faces of Farming & Ranching program. Erin Brenneman (Iowa), Darrell Glaser (Texas), Jay Hill (New Mexico) and Thomas Titus (Illinois) were also named winners. The group will be tapped to share stories and experiences on a national stage to help shift conversations about food production and set the record straight about the way we feed our nation.

Applications were received from dedicated farmers and ranchers from across the nation, eight of whom were selected as finalists. Consumers, farmers and ranchers were asked to vote online for whom they believed best represented those across the country who work to bring food to the table. These votes were factored into the final decision to determine the Faces of Farming & Ranching. In addition to the public vote, a panel of judges interviewed and evaluated the finalists.

Winners will share their stories and experiences about how food is grown and raised in the U.S. on a national stage through media interviews, consumer-facing public appearances and events. This is the second time USFRA has sought farmers and ranchers to speak on behalf of the industry in this capacity.

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced a public input meeting and review period has been scheduled for December 12, 2014 in order to gather comments on the 2015 drafts of the state’s Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs).

Public comment will be taken on all of the following GAAMPs. There are proposed changes in the GAAMPs for: Manure Management and Utilization, the Care of Farm Animals and Site Selection and Odor Control for New and Expanding Livestock Facilities. The GAAMPs regarding Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control, Farm Markets, Nutrient Utilization, Cranberry Production and Irrigation Water Use have no proposed changes for 2015.

The GAAMPs public input meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, December 12, 2014 in the Lake Superior Conference Room at the State of Michigan Library and Historical Center located at 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, Michigan.

Written comments may be submitted to MDARD’s Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909 and postmarked no later than December 12, 2014, or sent via email to WilcoxR2@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. on December 12, 2014. MDARD will forward all comments received by the due date to the respective GAAMPs Task Force Committee Chairpersons for consideration prior to final review and adoption.

A Tribute to Frank Lipinski Frank Lipinski, past MMPA board member, passed away in October at the age of 79. With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to one of our influential past leaders with 23 distinguished years of service on our board of directors.

MMPA President Ken Nobis says, “Frank was an exemplary MMPA board member who took his duties very seriously. His decisions were always well thought out, putting the best interest of the membership first.

I also always appreciated Frank’s quick wit and gift for using humor so effectively, and we are all grateful for his lifetime of service to our cooperative and the industry.”

Frank “Fritz” Lipinski

Frank “Fritz” Lipinski Frank “Fritz” Lipinski, age 79, of Buckley, passed away on Oct. 14, 2014.

He was the husband of Carol; brother of Kathy (James) Perkins of Pleasant Valley, Arizona; brother-in-law of Martha Hays of Traverse City; and uncle of Cynthia (Erik) Pearson of Nampa, Idaho, Thomas (Rebecca) Hays of Buffalo, Wyoming and Jacob Elsenheimer of Traverse City. Fritz welcomed several exchange students into his home: Hans, Gert, Mats and Styx.

He was a graduate of Michigan State University agricultural short courses and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Frank was a good farmer, neighbor, friend and a positive voice for agriculture.

Frank was a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Corn Growers Association and many other related organizations. He was awarded the 1982 MSU Dairyman of the Year, 1987 Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from Michigan Forage Council, Dedicated Service Award from MMPA and UDIA and Friend of Corn Award from MCGA. In 2012 Frank was honored by being added to the distinguished list of Master Farmers.

Calf Care Schools February 10 Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer Headquarters, St. Johns (Spanish) February 11 GreenStone Farm Credit Services Headquarters, Lansing February 12

Heritage Hall, Coldwater

Contact Marianne Gasiewski at the Novi office (880-572-5824, ext. 215) to register. A $10/person registration fee will be deducted from your milk check and will help defray the cost of lunch. Class size is limited to 30, so reserve your spot early!

Producers Scoring 95% or more on Grade A Surveys and Federal Check Ratings October/November 2014 Gary/Teresa Palosaari Jacob Jahfetson * Keranen Farms LLC

Elizabeth/Galen VanDrese Angela Drayton Richlo Dairy Farms

D & B Dairy Farm Inc * Barron Farms

Furlong Creek Farm James / Connie Seefeldt * *100 percent

Messenger | December 2014

MMPA and Land O’Lakes present...

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TOGETHER TO WARD TO MORROW

2014-2015 Local Meetings

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Note: Information listed was available at press time. All members will receive complete meeting details mailed in the formal invitation.

Messenger | December 2014

Local Date Location Time

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Barry-Eaton/Lansing

Saturday, Dec. 6

Grace Community Church, Nashville

Noon

Kalamazoo

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Old Country Buffet, Kalamazoo

11:30 a.m.

Upstate

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Ellsworth Christian Reformed Church, Ellsworth

11:00 a.m.

U.P. West Central

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Home Base Restaurant, Schaffer

Noon

Sunrise

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Klacking Township Hall, West Branch

11:45 a.m.

Chippewa

Thursday, Dec. 11

Rudyard Christian Reformed Church, Rudyard

Noon

Flint/Livingston Charter/Owosso Wednesday, Jan. 7

Gigi’s Banquet Center, Corunna

Noon

Grand Rapids

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Golden Corral Buffet, Walker

Noon

Dairyland

Thursday, Jan. 8

Bloomer Twp. Hall, Carson City

Noon

Mid-Michigan

Thursday, Jan. 8

Agro Liquid headquarters, St. Johns

11:45 a.m.

Alma

Friday, Jan. 9

Maxfield’s Restaurant, Wyman

11:30 a.m.

Hillman

Friday, Jan. 9

Hillman Community Center, Hillman

11:30 a.m.

Constantine

Saturday, Jan. 10

Siloam Fellowship, Goshen, IN

10:30 a.m.

Huron

Saturday, Jan. 10

Franklin Inn, Bad Axe

11:30 a.m.

Deford/Clifford-Mayville

Monday, Jan. 12

Lizzy’s American Diner, Caro

Noon

Adrian

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Rome Grange Hall, Adrian

Noon

Frankenmuth

Tuesday, Jan.13

Sullivan’s Black Forest Restaurant, Frankenmuth

Noon

Ingham County

TBA

Mid-Thumb

Wednesday, Jan. 14

West Michigan

TBA

Evart

Thursday, Jan. 15

Rehoboth Reformed Church, McBain

11:00 a.m.

Muskegon

Thursday, Jan. 15

Russ’ Banquet Room, Muskegon

11:30 a.m.

Clare-Mt. Pleasant

Friday, Jan. 16

Clare Church of Nazarene, Clare

11:00 a.m.

Jackson County Plus

TBA

Mid-Sanilac TBA Hillsdale-Litchfield

TBA

Blossomland

Friday, January 23

Zeke’s Restaurant, Dowagiac

Noon

Saline-Ann Arbor

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor

Noon

Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference February 5–7, 2015 Bavarian Inn and Conference Center • Frankenmuth, Michigan Early registration ends January 16!

www.glrdc.msu.edu NDB/UDIA/NMPF Joint Annual Meeting: Partners in Progress

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he 2014 joint annual meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) was held in Grapevine, Texas Oct. 27-29. Dairy producers, member cooperatives, Young Cooperators (YCs), industry representatives, staff and others from all over the country gathered for a few days of speeches, reports, banquets, general sessions, town hall meetings and award ceremonies.

Messenger | December 2014

During the meeting, NMPF welcomed four new dairy cooperative members, two new board members and one new board officer. The NMPF also voted to require each dairy marketing organization participating in the organization’s animal care program

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to enroll all its farmer-suppliers to ensure full participation in the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program.

Board Chairman Randy Mooney said, “It’s frustrating to hear a small, but vocal minority of critics attack dairy farmers and paint a twisted and false image of the care we provide our animals.”

President and CEO Jim Mulhern noted that conscientious animal care is not just morally and ethically right, but also good business, since healthy cows produce more milk.

“But it is clear in this age of social media and the Internet that we’re past the point where we can ask people just to take our word that we are providing proper care,” he said.

NMPF First Vice Chair Ken Nobis, Chairman Randy Mooney and President and CEO Jim Mulhern (left to right) address member cooperatives during the NMPF delegate meeting in Grapevine, Texas.

Also at the meeting, guest speaker Tom Vilsack, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary told attendees that the USDA is extending by one week the deadline for farmers to enroll in the new Margin Protection Program.

The previous deadline, November 28, will be moved back to Friday, December 5, to ensure that dairy producers have time after the Thanksgiving weekend to sign up for the new dairy safety net.

With major reform of the federal dairy safety net now complete, the leadership of NMPF pledged to step up efforts on other key issues, including the fight for meaningful immigration reform and opening more foreign markets to U.S. dairy products.

The incoming 2015 Young Cooperator council elected its leadership for the upcoming year.

Brian and Carrie Preston, Michigan Milk Producers Association, were chosen to serve as the YC chaircouple. Tommy and Anna Watkins, Southeast Milk, will serve as the vice chaircouple, and Donald and Bernadette Harwood, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, will be the secretary couple.

Great Lakes Crop Summit January 28 - 29, 2015 Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Mt. Pleasant, MI

Bring your employees and farm partners to get the most out of the trade show and more than 30 concurrent educational sessions on corn, soybean and wheat issues!

Featured Speakers: Agronomist Ken Ferrie Evelyn Browning-Garriss, The Weather Whisperer Dr. Mike Boehlje, Purdue University Industry representatives and university researchers from seven Midwestern states Registration and a full schedule are available online at www.GreatLakesCropSummit.com or call the Michigan Corn office at (517) 668-2676 for more info.

Certifications: Attendees can earn the following credits: 12 RUP recertification credits (6 each day) 13.5 CCA credits for full attendance (NM 2.5, SW 4, PM 2, CM 3, PD 2) 1 MAEAP credit Those needing to recertify by exam will have the opportunity to take the RUP test on Thursday, January 29.

Head, Heart, Hands, Husband

Danielle explains. “We’ve managed to balance the workload and improve on the foundation my parents built from the start.”

2014 MMPA District 11 OYDC Steve and Danielle Berens

Quality from the Calf Up

When Danielle Berens joined the local 4-H exchange club at 14, she had no intention of exchanging her last name. But when she met Steve on one of the group’s trips, young love turned into four years of dating and a pair of “I do’s.”

“I did not ever plan on farming,” Danielle admits. “But when I married Steve, we decided to follow his dream and get into the hog business. What we didn’t realize was how hard it was to startup a farm from scratch. So when the opportunity to join my parents on the family operation came around, we decided dairy might be our calling after all.”

Twenty years, two kids and 168 cows later, the duo has helped transform Huff Farms to Heritage Farms LLC. And looking back, they wouldn’t change a thing.

Caution: Construction Ahead

Messenger | December 2014

When the Berens joined Danielle’s parents (and brother at the time) on the farm in 1995, their herd numbered 40 head. However, to accommodate the addition of ownership and provide for multiple families, expansion was on the brain from day one.

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“We came back to a farm that had already seen its share of wear and tear.

Our setup and systems were incredibly inefficient when we started out, and we’ve been working to get things caught up ever since,” Steve says.

Over their nearly two decades as an LLC, the Berens and Huffs put in a double-6 step-up parlor and feed bins, built a freestall barn, manure pit, bunker silo, dry cow barn and two hoop barns and transformed a grainary into a shop.

Most recently, the Berens modernized their previous updates, constructing a new double-12 parallel parlor in the farm’s old shop. “We’ve helped invest in the equipment, land and facilities needed to quadruple the herd while increasing our ownership in the LLC,”

Even operating in a seemingly neverending construction zone, the Berens’ office walls are proof the farm hasn’t prioritized quantity over quality. As their herd size quadrupled over the course of 20 years, the Berens’ somatic cell count shrank by half. Consistently achieving test results under 100,000 cells/mL, Heritage Farms earned its 15-Star Quality Award last year and will receive an MMPA Gold Quality Award during the upcoming local meeting season.

“MMPA Milker Training School has helped us a lot,” Steve explains. “MTS emphasized the importance of setting up a routine, maximizing letdown through appropriate timing, keeping things consistent and vigilantly cleaning the teat ends. We’ve seen the real impact of those changes in our bulk tank and on our balance sheet. The techniques have helped us produce higher quality milk.”

Yet, the Berens’ quality improvements don’t just start and end in the parlor.

Prior to last winter, calves received 2 quarts of milk two times a day. In February, the family installed an IDTEK automatic calf feeder in their old milking barn, offering the calves up to 8 quarts of milk in a 24-hour period.

“I knew something big was happening when the vet asked if we had started vaccinating calves later,” Steve smiles.

“Our calves are growing faster and getting bigger than ever. The automatic feeder has cut our calf feeding time while helping us jumpstart the youngest members of our herd.”

All in the Family

Danielle adds, “Even at 76, my dad still helps make major farm decisions, milks every morning and drives the truck when we’re chopping corn silage. This has and always will be a family business.”

Despite the fact Danielle never thought she wanted to return to the family farm, her and Steve’s biggest focus is now making sure the next generation has the same opportunity afforded to the 4-H newlyweds back in 1995.

“We’re not ready to retire, and both our kids have an interest in the farm.

So we are making the necessary improvements now to ensure our kids have a chance to start off farming with a more efficient setup,” Danielle says.

“That’s was Heritage farms is all about.”

Steve and Danielle Berens (at left) helped grow the family dairy herd from 40 to 168 cows since returning to Heritage Farms LLC in Wayland.

From milking to feeding, the farm employs only one non-family employee.

Steve and Danielle Berens District 11 OYDC | West Michigan Local Children: Heather (18) and Justin (15) Herd Size: 168 milking, 30 dry Replacements: 150 Acres Farmed: 475 Crops Grown: Alfalfa, corn, soybeans Milking Regiment: Two-a-day milking in a double-12 parallel parlor Sustainable Practices: Grid sample acreage, variable rate fertilizer application, variable rate transfer and vacuum pump Breeding Program: AI, clean-up bull with heifers Education: Steve and Danielle graduated from Hamilton and Hopkins high schools, respectively, in 1993. Steve earned a two-year certificate in agribusiness from the Michigan State University Institute of Agriculture Technology in 1995.

Certifications/Training: MMPA Milker Training School, National Dairy FARM Program Ag, Dairy and Community Involvement: Steve and Danielle are both administrative leaders of their local 4-H club and active in the Hopkins FFA Alumni. Steve is on the MMPA West Michigan Local, Allegan County Farm Bureau and Diamond Springs Westland Church boards. Danielle serves as historian of the Hopkins FFA Alumni and on the Allegan Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee.

Messenger | December 2014

While the Berens don’t operate the largest dairy farm in the state, they pride themselves on keeping their operation running with only one part-time, non-family employee.

“My brother, Randy, is our herdsmen and our kids, niece and nephew work for us part-time,” Steve says.

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Creating a World of Opportunities 2014 NMPF Young Cooperators Conference

By Brian and Carrie Preston, 2014 MMPA OYDC

T

hey say everything is bigger in Texas and this year’s OYDC contingent experienced all things Texas at the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) Young Cooperator (YC) Conference in Grapevine.

We joined 2013 OYDC Mike and Jordan Noll and 2014 OYDC Runners-up Ken and Kristen Sparks to represent MMPA. YCs representing NMPF member co-ops gathered to learn more about NMPF’s activities, improve our skills as dairy advocates and make new friends.

The first day’s activities focused on the latter. All the YC’s had a chance to socialize and get to know each other. We explored the Ft. Worth Stockyards and enjoyed a great steakhouse in an original stockyards-era hotel.

Monday started with a presentation from Dr. David Kohl, dairy producer and Virginia Tech economics professor. He presented an exciting outlook for the dairy industry. The analogy that sticks out in my mind is when he spoke of the super cycle we are experiencing in agriculture. In terms of this cycle, corn and soybeans are in the seventh or eighth inning of the up-cycle while dairy and protein sectors are closer to the third or fourth innings. This is a unique opportunity to build the strength of our balance sheets and prepare for the next downturn.

Messenger | December 2014

If you’ve heard of Dairy Carrie, you’re obviously up to date on #dairypromotion and #socialmedia. Carrie Mess shared her experiences using social media and encouraged us to promote the dairy industry and our dairy farm lifestyle online. Next up was Dairy Management Inc.’s Don Schindler, social media trainer and digital strategist, who helped the YCs set up Twitter accounts and begin dairy conversations in their social circles.

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MMPA’s OYDC contingent learned about NMPF’s activities, improved their skills as dairy advocates and networked with young farmers from across the country during the NMPF YC Conference held in Grapevine, Texas. Pictured above: front (left to right) Jordan Noll, Kristen Sparks and Carrie Preston and back (left to right) Mike Noll, Ken Sparks and Brian Preston.

After lunch, our program resumed with a farm crisis producer panel. Four producers shared their personal crisis experiences including an immigration audit/raid, a very public manure spill running through a local golf course, a PETA undercover video and an employee death after an accident with a bull. We do dangerous work with a wide range of risks. I’m convinced it’s impossible to be prepared for everything, but we do all need to have an emergency preparedness plan. The panelists shared valuable information with attendees all farms should think through to be prepared for the unthinkable.

The next session was equally shocking, but from an entirely different perspective. Several Dallas-area consumers joined us for a consumer panel, answering questions about their buying habits and views concerning

dairy. It was eye opening to see how little the general public knows about getting food from farm to table. It’s interesting that many of the moms/dads cited their pediatrician as the most trusted source of nutrition information. Each of them had been told low-fat dairy products were best, hormones in food were responsible for early development in adolescents and a few of the panelists had been advised to buy organic food whenever possible.

The president of Dean Foods addressed the group regarding his vision for fluid milk and how we can partner to reverse declining consumption. In his view, revisiting the labeling laws regarding fluid milk is crucial to compete with soy, almond and rice “milk� while providing the benefits found only in the real thing.

After the conference, we have a new appreciation for NMPF. One of the reasons we belong to MMPA is for greater bargaining power in the marketplace and legislatively.

Belonging to a co-op that participates in and provides leadership for NMPF, we leverage our input in Washington and gain the bargaining power we desperately need to protect our businesses and preserve our dairying way of life.

Messenger | December 2014

We came home very excited about being dairy farmers and the outlook for our industry!

17

Milk is a Liquid Asset – Don’t Dump it Down the Drain!

By Christy Dinsmoore, Northwest Area Supervisor, Mastitis Management Specialist

Showcasing milking techniques that work for you.

practices that will benefit

Recommended milking procedures are based on science and experienceproven data to help milk cows quickly, comfortably and with reduced chances of spreading mastitis pathogens cow-to-cow. We go a step further than talking about best milking procedures as attendees have a hands-on lab to put the knowledge to work. Following MTS practices will reduce chances of mastitis infections while also reducing the chances of high raw and PI bacteria counts and lowering coliform counts.

milk quality and reduce

Empowering your milking crew.

mastitis infections on your

behind your milking

Everyone on your farm who steps foot in the parlor will be empowered to milk cows with cow comfort and milk quality top-of-mind once they understand the importance of the procedures you ask them to follow. Having all milkers on the same page also helps them hold each other accountable. MTS helps all milkers understand and utilize the right milking procedures; no excuses!

procedures or your farm

Learning how to monitor milking routine success.

MMPA Milker Training School (MTS) is 18 years strong and able to help you establish best milking

farm. If your employees are looking for the “why”

is experiencing protocol drift, this is the training opportunity you and your employees can’t miss!

Milking procedures must be the same day-in and day-out, 365 days a year.

Managers not only need to be able to coach and retrain as necessary, but they need to be able to monitor milking performance when they are not able to observe every shift of milking. MTS discusses how managers can monitor bulk tank coliform counts for lapses in protocol, observe filter socks to gauge successful cleaning of teats and teat ends and identify and remove clinical mastitis cases from the milking string.

Milker Training School Registration ____________________________________________________________________________________ Name _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address

Messenger | December 2014

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone

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_____________________________________________________________________________________ Producer Permit Number _____________________________________________________________________________________ Date & Location of Session

Number of people attending

To register, complete and return this form to: MMPA Milker Training School, - Member Services Dept.

P.O. Box 8002, Novi, MI 48376-8802 You may also register via phone or email. Contact: Marianne Gasiewski at 248-474-6672 or Gasiewski@mimilk.com

In addition to its positive impact on milk quality, MTS also fulfills the National Dairy FARM Program guidelines of providing yearly training to animal caretakers on your farm.

Each person completing the training session will receive a certificate of participation.

Mark your calendars and sign-up for MTS today!

2015 Milker Training School Dates & Locations Registration: 9:30 a.m.

Program: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lunch is provided

February 10 Osceola County Fairgrounds Evart

February 11

February 17 Shipshewana Event Center Shipshewana, Ind.

February 24 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church Woodland (English)

February 25 Kilpatrick United Brethren Church Woodland (Spanish)

March 24 Evergreen Township Hall Decker

fErTiLiTY

hEaLTh

NuTriTiON

3-in-1 Technology to Monitor Cows 24/7 • Monitors activity, eating time, rumination and temperature • Saves time and money • SensOor ear tag, no collars or batteries to change • Easy installation – plug and play • Solid state equipment with a five-year warranty •

The ONLY system to make locating cows on the alert list easy! Smartphone app identifies cows on the alert list as you walk behind them.

April 29 Menominee County Extension Service Stephenson

April 30 Rudyard Christian Reformed Church Rudyard

Talk to your area NorthStar Specialist or call 800.631.3510 to learn more.

Messenger | December 2014

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Hale

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Movin’ On Up 2014 MMPA District 12 OYDC Matt and Emily Grams Growing up on a 500-cow dairy in St. Johns, Matt Grams thought Clinton County epitomized the classic definition of small and rural. It seemed like everyone knew their neighbors, waved to passing trucks and lived miles from the closest grocery store.

That was until he traveled to Alcona County.

Known for its timber, tourism and deer, Matt saw the struggles of northern Lower Peninsula farmers battling Mother Nature firsthand while working for his parents’ custom harvesting business. Yet, when an empty dairy in Harrisville went up for rent in 2002, Matt took a leap of faith, loading up his 40 cows in St. Johns and relocating 180 miles northeast.

“Matt comes from a long line of dairy farmers, so his biggest struggle was adjusting to the challenges of farming up here,” Matt’s wife, Emily, smiles. “But for

me, this area has always been home.

I remember smelling the previous owners spreading manure on Friday nights just a few miles down the road during high school football games.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d end up married to a dairy farmer and actively involved in this farm. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Embracing the Learning Curve While affordable land costs and the vacant farm are what originally brought Matt to Alcona County, he learned quickly that dairying three

hours to the north was going to be a whole new ballgame.

“I had to plant shorter-day corn, account for lower yields and test my animals for TB. Since I started this business on my own, I didn’t have family to argue with about decisions.

But I also didn’t have them around for advice. It was definitely a learning curve over the years,” Matt explains.

It appears the many years of patience and persistence are starting to pay off. What began as 140 cows with a 23,000-pound rolling herd average turned into 260 averaging 30,000 pounds. Over his 12 years on the Harrisville farm, Matt has transitioned from renter to owner, built a calf barn, hay barns, two heifer transition barns and a machinery storage building and expanded the freestall and dry cow barns to house his growing herd.

And buildings aren’t the only things that have changed. When Emily met Matt in 2009, she had no intention of being involved in the dairy. But after the couple wed in 2012, Emily took on the farm’s bookwork and employee scheduling, filling in wherever necessary. “We’re a team, managing our business and raising our family together,” Matt says.

Labor Pains

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While many variables changed when Matt relocated to Harrisville, one challenge did not: labor. Without experienced family members close by to ask for help, the vast majority of the Grams’ labor force isn’t related by blood.

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“We hire Emily’s dad and sister to help with calves, but we have nine nonfamily workers. We do have some longtime and experienced employees, but we struggle retaining milkers more than six months. Since there’s just the two of us, we can’t be everywhere monitoring everyone all the time,” Matt admits.

To help combat employee turnover and ensure consistent, high-quality performance, the Grams have taken steps to improve their hiring process and employee retention. Every morning, Matt meets with employees to outline the day’s agenda, address any changes that need to be made and ensure everyone is on the same page.

In addition to having workers attend MMPA Milker Training School, a video camera in the parlor helps ensure employees stay on task and utilize the farm’s udder prep and milking procedure consistently. Recognizing milk quality is a result of farm-wide management, all employees receive a bonus if the farm’s somatic cell count is less than 100,000 cells/mL. This year, they received an MMPA Bronze Quality Award for consistent, highquality milk production.

Children: Allie (2) and Bickford (1)

Looking Ahead

Herd Size: 260 milking, 50 dry

A young family with two little ones to plan and provide for, the Grams are looking full-speed ahead at the future.

Replacements: 300

Matt adds, “We are a larger dairy for this area, but we want to continue to expand so our kids will have the opportunity to come back to the farm. We have been continuously building and improving over the first 12 years I’ve operated this farm. We’re not going to stop now.”

Matt Grams (at left) shows one of his farm’s nine employees how to use a CMT paddle to diagnose mastitis infections. Moving from his family’s dairy in St. Johns to rent and eventually buy a farm in Harrisville, Matt and his wife, Emily, have managed to battle the elements and adjust to dairying “Up North.”

District 12 OYDC | Hillman Local

Acres Farmed: 1,000 Crops Grown: Alfalfa, corn and wheat Milking Regiment: Three-a-day milking in a double-12 parallel parlor Sustainable Practices: Cover crops planted to prevent nutrient loss, reclaimed plate cooler water, grassed waterways Breeding Program: AI, clean-up bull with heifers Education: Matt graduated from St. Johns High School in 1998 and spent a semester at Michigan State University studying engineering before returning to agriculture. Emily graduated from Alcona High School in 2005 and is a licensed cosmetologist.

Certifications/Training: MMPA Milker Training School, Calf Care School, National Dairy FARM Program Ag, Dairy and Community Involvement: Matt and Emily are both actively involved in Young, Savvy and into Dairy (YSD), a group of young dairy farmers, employees and service providers who gather to learn, lead and network. The Grams occasionally host the YSD group at their farm. Matt also serves on the local DHI board.

Messenger | December 2014

“My favorite part of owning our own business is our kids get to be involved. When I go feed calves in the summer or help out in the parlor, the kids can come along. We get to watch them grow up,” Emily says.

Matt and Emily Grams

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Governor Rick Snyder: Economic Impact of Food, Agriculture Industry Surpasses $100 Billion

G

overnor Rick Snyder recently announced Michigan’s food and agriculture system has surpassed its economic impact goal of $100 billion.

According to an interim estimate by the Michigan State University Product Center, Michigan’s agri-food system has reached a total annual economic impact of $101.2 billion. Snyder has continually encouraged the industry to set its sights on topping the $100 billion mark.

“Michigan’s food and agriculture businesses have helped lay the foundation for our economic turnaround,” Snyder said. “They recognize the value of investing in their communities and creating hometown jobs. Let’s keep this great momentum going. The future is exciting for this dynamic industry.”

Messenger | December 2014

“We are known for crop diversity as well as safe, high-quality products to meet growing global consumer demand. Michigan is well-poised to see increased development in the food and ag arena,” Jamie Clover Adams, director of the Michigan

22

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), said.

The study was first conducted in2006 using 2004 data. Then, the food and agriculture system was determined to be valued at $60.1 billion. An interim estimate in 2009 showed an increase in value to $71.3 billion.

In 2012, the study highlighted more growth, pegging it at $91.4 billion.

The newest estimate shows the food and agriculture system continues on a consistent growth trend.

Chris Peterson, director of the MSU Product Center and the study’s lead investigator, said strong commodity and food prices, along with growing domestic and global demand, help drive the increase.

“The study includes direct and multiplier effects of numerous aspects of the agri-food system,” he explained.

“The impact of production agriculture alone is nearly $13.6 billion, or 13.4 percent of the overall total.”

The MSU Product Center produced the interim estimate at the request of MDARD. The last full report was issued in 2012 using 2010 data. Data from 2015 will be used to generate the next full report in 2017.

“Data from several different sources are used to create this report,” Peterson said. “Unfortunately, full data sets are only available every five years.”

The MSU Product Center provides university-wide assistance to help Michigan entrepreneurs develop and commercialize high-value, consumer–responsive products and businesses in the agriculture, food, natural resources and bioprocessing sectors.

“It’s a great time to be in food and agriculture. We are innovators, and the possibilities for career opportunities, new business creation and expansion are bountiful.”

—Jamie Clover Adams, director Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Michigan Food & Agriculture Michigan’s food and agriculture system has not only met its $100 billion goal, but has surpassed it. According to the Michigan State University Product Center, Michigan’s agri-food system has reached a total economic impact of $101.2 billion.

ECONOMIC IMPACT When the study was first conducted using 2004 data, the food and agriculture system was valued at $60.1 billion.

The newest estimate shows that the Michigan food and agriculture system continues to be on the grow and has reached a value of

$101.2 B I L L I O N

INVESTMENT Since 2011, Governor Snyder has shown a continued commitment to the food & agriculture industry through increased budget support.

“Let’s keep this great momentum going. The future is exciting for this dynamic industry.”

$37.1 $30

Million

$40.6

$45.9 Million

Million

Million

FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015

Processing, wholesaling and retailing saw a 8.5% increase, underscoring Michigan is ripe with food and agriculture based business opportunity. Overall, the total food and agriculture industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 3.04%. *According to an interim estimate from the Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center

Join the Conversation!

#COMEBACKSTATE

Messenger | December 2014

Value Added Activities

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DID YOU KNOW EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED* RETURNS $11.20? $ Advertising Creates all domestic consumer advertising –radio, print, outdoor and digital – to reinforce how beef is part of their everyday life

Beef Safety Research Identifies potential risks to beef safety and develops solutions to maintain a safe beef supply for consumers

Foreign Marketing Provides beef market development, promotion, research, consumer and industry information in more than 100 countries worldwide

Public Relations Proactively shares positive beef messages with consumers, health professionals and other food influencers

Channel Marketing Develops all promotions, training and other programs to help promote beef in restaurants and grocery stores

Product Enhancement Research Discovers new ways to improve beef quality, consistency and value, including research focused on new cuts, taste, tenderness and carcass value

Nutrition Research Focuses on beef’s role in human nutrition as it relates to overall health and well-being

New Product Development Works with industry leaders to develop new beef products, plus shares beef recipes and cooking tips

Industry Information Safeguards the image of the beef industry by responding to, and correcting, misinformation about beef and sharing the beef production story

*From the Cattlemen’s Beef Board budget

MyBeefCheckoff.com Funded by the Beef Checkoff.

Michigan Beef Industry Commission 517-347-0911 • www.MIBEEF.org

#beef11:1

YOUR CHECKOFF IN ACTION Urban consumers visit Michigan feedlot The Michigan Beef Industry Commission (MBIC) partnered with Michigan State University Extension to welcome more than 2,400 people to a Breakfast on the Farm tour hosted by Uphaus Farms in Manchester. The Uphaus family operates a 1,000-head beef feedlot and grows corn, soybeans and wheat on 600 acres.

“Bringing consumers to a feedlot enhances the image of the beef industry and helps us connect with millennial parents,” said Cindy Hulings, MBIC Director of Promotions and Consumer Marketing. To illustrate the connection between farming and food, MBIC displayed cuts of beef in a meat case. Using smart phones and tablets, staff demonstrated how to use the checkoff’s Interactive Butcher Counter to find information on choosing and preparing beef.

Exit survey results show the positive impact — 50% of attendees had not been on a modern beef farm in the past 20 years. And, 82% of attendees indicated a high or very high level of trust that beef farmers do the right thing when it comes to producing safe, wholesome food.

MBIC staff Shawna TeVelde (left) and Cindy Hulings, (right), teach consumers about the Interactive Butcher Counter.

MBIC at work in retail and foodservice MBIC partners with beef processors to help promote beef with retail and foodservice decision-makers in Michigan. MBIC worked with JBS at the Spartan Fresh Food Show in Grand Rapids; IBP at the Van Eerden Food Show in Lansing; and Davis Creek Meats at the Gordon Food Service Show in Grand Rapids to increase awareness of a new steak-cutting method called Beef Alternative Merchandising (BAM).

The BAM cutting method capitalizes on the profitability of middle meats while creating even more satisfying eating experiences for consumers. In-market Cindy Hulings, MBIC Director of tests show strong Promotion and consumer purchase Consumer Marketing, interest in the new at the 2014 Van cuts and how BAM Eerden Food Shows. helps keep unit prices acceptable. A proven sales driver, BAM appeals to smaller households and healthconscious shoppers.

Beef and veal in the classroom In Flint, MBIC staff recently shared facts about beef and veal production with Mott Community College meat fabrication students, who are training to be future food industry professionals.

Holiday entertaining with beef In preparation for the holiday season, MBIC provided a brochure containing holiday-focused beef recipes and posters to retailers.

Get to know your checkoff.

Visit www.MIBEEF.org or call 517-347-0911

TOGETHER TO WARD TO MORROW

2013-2014 Local Officers

MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Adrian Local

Deford/Clifford-Mayville Local

Ingham County Local

Muskegon Local

President: Clark Emmons V. President: Jim Marvin Sec/Treas: Gary Stout Dairy Communicators: Geraldine Emmons, Joy Marvin, Maria Marvin

President: Ray Wolak V. President: Calvin Bodeis Sec/Treas: Diane Foley Dairy Communicators: Diane Foley, Jane Wood, Katie Wood

President: Josh Lott Dairy Communicator: Evelyn Minnis

President: Bill Stakenas V. President: Glen Sparks Sec/Treas: Sharon Powers Dairy Communicator: Terri Stakenas

Alma Local

President: Gordon Dick V. President: William Jernstadt Sec/Treas: Larry Buning Dairy Communicators: Ken DeZeeuw, Amy Martin

President: Mike Rasmussen V. President: John Black Sec/Treas: Missy Prins Dairy Communicators: Cheri Chapin, Ramona Okkema, Missy Prins

Barry-Eaton Local President: Tom Wing V. President: David Bivens Sec/Treas: Sally Bivens Dairy Communicators: Sally Bivens, Heather Wing

Blossomland Local President: Jerry Koebel, Jr. Sec/Treas: Joshua Gamble Dairy Communicator: Heather Carpenter

Chippewa County Local President: David Folkersma V. President: David Bell Sec/Treas: Loren Hoolsema Dairy Communicator: Ann Folkersma

Clare-Mt. Pleasant Local President: William Stough V. President: Douglas Stevens Sec/Treas: Bertha Mae Stough Dairy Communicators: Bertha Mae Stough, Michelle Stough

Messenger | December 2014

Constantine Local

26

President: Richard Ultz V. President: Clyde Miller Sec/Treas: Richard Thomas Dairy Communicators: Judy Oesch, Richard Ultz

Dairyland Local President: Del Christensen Sec/Treas: Brent Wilson Dairy Communicator: Brent Wilson

Evart Local

Jackson County Plus Local President: Jeffrey Alexander V. President: Tom Zenz Sec/Treas: Arthur Riske Dairy Communicator: Kathy Heisler

Kalamazoo Local

President: Roger Bloss V. President: Peter Juengel Sec/Treas: Daniel Weil

President: Don Bever V. President: Charles Wamhoff Sec/Treas: Dan Ransler Dairy Communicator: Tammy Spicher

Frankenmuth Local

Lansing Local

President: Larry Schumacher V. President: Roger Keinath Sec/Treas: Roger Weiss Dairy Communicators: Debra Krafft, Barbara Wardin, Beth Weiss, Joanmarie Weiss, Margie Weiss

President: Jim Droscha V. President: Daniel Ritter Sec/Treas: Kristina Langmaack Dairy Communicators: Stacey Edick, Kristina Langmaack

Flint Local

Livingston Charter Local

Owosso Local President: Matt Dutcher V. President: David Reed Sec/Treas: David Reed Dairy Communicator: Megghan Honke

Saline-Ann Arbor Local President: Jeff Horning V. President: Stan Lambarth Sec/Treas: Keith Weidmayer Dairy Communicators: Arlene DeForest, Lynda Horning

Sunrise Local Pres/V. President: John Bennett Secretary: Daniel Fisk Treasurer: Michael O’Farrell Dairy Communicator: Abigail O’Farrell

President: Scott Ferry V. President: Bruce Lewis Sec/Treas: Carlton Evans Dairy Communicators: Jennifer Lewis, Cami Marz-Evans

President: Scott Bontekoe U.P. West Central Local V. President: Chuck White President: Robert Barron Sec/Treas: Janet White V. President: Gary Palosaari Dairy Communicators: Acting Sec/Treas: Eleanor Bloniarz Liz Bontekoe, Jodi Hill Dairy Communicator: Mid-Michigan Local Karen Palosaari President: John Hufnagel Upstate Local V. President: Aaron Gasper V. President: Richard Fettig Sec/Treas: Kris Wardin

Dairy Communicators: West Michigan Local Patti Jandernoa, Doreen Slavik, President: Paul Elzinga Carla Wardin V. President: Norm TerHaar Mid-Sanilac Local Secretary: William Gruppen President: James Heberling Treasurer: David Pyle V. President: Jeremy Sharrard Dairy Communicators: Sec/Treas: Mike Bender Jenny Elzinga, Arlene TerHaar Dairy Communicators:

Sara Lee, Jordan Noll, Rita Phillips, Barb Radloff, Jodi Sharrard, Gertie van den Goor

Huron Local

Mid-Thumb Local

President: Mark Ziel V. President: Tim Kubacki Secretary: Shelly Messing Treasurer: Darwin Sneller Dairy Communicators: Debbie Kubacki, Nancy Laeder, Shelly Messing

President: Scott Lamb V. President: Robert J. Rowley II Sec/Treas: William Blumerich Dairy Communicators: Virginia Ankley, Kathleen Clinton, Kathleen Knust, Kristie Lamb, Doris Stuever, Melissa Sullivan

Grand Rapids Local President: Jim Good V. President: Tim Butler Sec/Treas: Ken Leseman Dairy Communicator: Kay Willcome

Hillman Local President: Corby Werth V. President: Jeremy Werth Sec/Treas: Ron Lucas Dairy Communicators: Katie Dellar, Connie Lucas, Janel Woodward

Hillsdale-Litchfield Local

MMPA Advisory Committee District One

District Six

Carlton Evans, Litchfield .........................................517-398-0629 Perry Cisco, Hudson....................................................517-547-3231 Glenn Preston, Quincy...............................................517-639-4182 Art Riske, Hanover.......................................................517-524-6015

Aaron Gasper, Lowell..................................................616-897-2747 Jamie Meyer, Ionia.......................................................989-640-3372 David Reed, Owosso...................................................989-723-8635 Kris Wardin, St Johns..................................................989-640-9420

District Two

District Seven

Donald Bever, Delton.................................................269-671-5050 Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN............................... 574-825-2454 Danny Ransler, Gobles...............................................269-628-4218 Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN ............................574-825-5198

District Three Jim Good, Caledonia...................................................616-891-1414 Burke Larson, Scottville.............................................231-425-8988 David Pyle, Zeeland ...................................................616-772-1512 Bill Stakenas, Freesoil.................................................231-757-9340

District Four Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth.........................................231-588-6084 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard..........................................906-478-3023 Corby Werth, Alpena..................................................989-379-3772 Jeremy Werth, Alpena................................................989-464-4022

District Five Bruce Benthem, McBain.............................................231-825-8182 Tom Jeppesen, Stanton.............................................989-762-5399 Bill Jernstadt, Big Rapids...........................................231-796-4650 Mike Rasmussen, Edmore..........................................989-762-5380

TANK & TRUCK

John Bennett, Prescott...............................................989-345-4264 Eric Bergdolt, Vassar...................................................989-652-6500 Rod Fowler, Chesaning...............................................989-845-6131 Scott Kleinhardt, Clare...............................................989-386-8037

District Eight Mike Bender, Croswell ...............................................810-679-4782 Tim Kubacki, Sebewaing...........................................989-883-3249 Dale Phillips, Marlette................................................989-635-7917 Steve Schulte, Harbor Beach....................................989-479-9339

At-Large Bill Blumerich, Berlin..................................................810-395-2926 Pat Bolday, Emmett ....................................................810-395-7139 Mark Crandall, Battle Creek .....................................269-660-2229 James Droscha, Charlotte..........................................517-543-5577 Scott Lamb, Jeddo ......................................................810-327-6135 David Lott, Mason......................................................517-676-4593 Chuck White, Fowlerville...........................................517-521-3564 Tom Wing, Bellevue.....................................................269-660-0498

Custom-Built OEM Food Grade, Chemical and Petroleum Tank Trailers Built in Michigan With Our 10 Year Warranty Heavy Duty Truck & Trailer Parts and Service, Chemical Tank Washing and HM Tank Testing Burch Tanks have been MOOOOOvi ng milk for more than 25 years !

MT. PLEASANT • 800-882-7640 www.burchtank.com

MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hits 40-year Enrollment High The Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) reached a 40-year high this fall, with

4,874 students enrolled in the college.

Messenger | December 2014

MSU animal science major Garrett Slavik helps introduce a young girl to dairy during Great Dairy Adventure at the MSU Dairy Club “I Milked a Cow” booth.

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“These numbers reflect students’

last year’s numbers. The numbers

enthusiasm to learn more about

represent a trend in overall

food, energy and the environment,”

enrollment at MSU, where the total

CANR Dean Fred Poston said.

undergraduate enrollment has

“It also means that students

topped 38,000 students.

are recognizing that there are careers available in our areas of study – and they are attracted to scientific fields of study that focus on tackling some of the world’s biggest issues.”

Two CANR departments saw a large spike in enrollment: Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics and the School of Packaging, with increases of 133 and 121 students, respectively. Other departments

The CANR fall undergraduate

experiencing double-digit increases

enrollment is 4,235, an increase of

were Community Sustainability,

335 students (8.59 percent) from

Food Science and Human Nutrition,

Forestry and the School of Planning, Design and Construction.

A 2.1 percent jump in enrollment in the Institute for Agricultural Technology – the college’s twoyear certificate program – and a 1.11 percent increase in graduate students also played into the enrollment jump.

Kelly Millenbah, associate dean of the CANR and director of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs, said the college will likely continue

Make your milk samples work harder Like the folks at Winkel Dairy, McBain, Michigan

“We switched to the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test about a year ago on the dry off checks. We were looking for ways to knock down time spent behind the parlor and free up space. By using the Milk Pregnancy Test we don’t have to handle all those extra animals each week during herd health. The Milk Pregnancy Test helps us save time and be more efficient with the parlor.”

Jim Winkel

to see growth.

“The college’s popularity is fueled by a variety of factors,” she said “The growing demand for agriculture and natural resources students in the workforce, the fact that more and more students are learning that majors in the CANR are STEM (science, math, engineering and technology)focused careers; and the fact that our students appreciate the opportunity to do as well as learn.”

According to a national survey,

The IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test is available at NorthStar Cooperative.

• Confirm pregnancy earlier with new 28 days postbreeding claim • Depend on accuracy that is similar to palpation and ultrasound1† • Work closely with your veterinarian to develop a reproductive management program

only 60 percent of available jobs will be filled by the current pool of agriculture and natural resources graduates – that means there aren’t

Call 1-800-631-3510 today to add the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test to your recording samples.*

even enough students in college to fill an impending void, Millenbah

The CANR currently boasts an 89 percent career placement rate, which contributes to its popularity for students, and attracts students through its diverse research, study abroad and internship opportunities, Millenbah noted.

*Samples can be fresh, frozen or preserved. † Performance of the IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test was determined by comparing test results to those from ultrasound and palpation (n=1,315 cows). Rechecks were not included in performance calculations. See IDEXX Milk Pregnancy Test Validation Data Report for full test performance data.

1. Data on file at IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, ME USA. © 2014 IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. • 105801-00 IDEXX and Test With Confidence are trademarks or registered trademarks of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. The IDEXX Privacy Policy is available at idexx.com.

www.northstarcooperative.com

Messenger | December 2014

said.

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Cheese Pairing Booklet Celebrates Variety, Versatility With the holidays approaching, cheese plates will grace the table at gatherings of friends and family. The robust, complex flavors of cheese are enhanced by pairing them with wine, craft beer and other simple snack foods such as nuts, fruits and crackers. To help consumers make the most of their cheese boards, UDIM created a new Cheese Pairing Booklet offering simple tips for celebrating the goodness of cheese and enjoying the simple luxury a piece of fine cheese offers.

Bringing Family Meals Back to the Table with Milk

W

e all know that Milk Means More guaranteed protein and nutrition when served at the dinner table. In an effort to remind families gathering around the table this holiday season, United Dairy Industry of Michigan created a Family Meals campaign to increase mealtime dairy consumption using the new Milk Means More brand.

Moms ages 18-54 are the target audience for this digital and billboard campaign, which runs Nov. 10- Dec. 21. Family-oriented messages will appear on billboards in four designated market areas: Detroit (nine counties); Flint and Saginaw (13 counties); Lansing and Jackson (five counties) and Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo (14 counties).

Messenger | December 2014

Digital media placement will include behavior-targeted web ads, mobile ads, Facebook ads and pre-roll video with 15-second audio messages complete with a campaign visual targeted at moms on Pandora.com.

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The campaign is as rich in information as milk is in nutrients. It’s designed to get an increasingly mobile audience to think more frequently about milk by building on milk’s natural simplicity, local flavor and nutritious possibilities, all for less than 25 cents per cup.

“I think it’s important we get back to basics,” UDIM CEO Sharon Toth said.

“As a registered dietitian, a mom and someone who has spent a career in dairy promotion, it’s been frustrating to see far less nutritious beverages vying for a seat at the dinner table. We’re advocating family meals and family values: milk at meals and water in between.”

The booklet features mouthwatering photography and pairing suggestions for wines and beers readily available in Michigan, as well as tips and tricks for choosing and serving cheese. So, if your holiday schedule includes entertaining, order copies of the Cheese Pairing Guide to inspire a simple but luxurious spread of creamy cheese paired with your favorite beverages.

Copies of the free Cheese Pairing Guide can be ordered for you or your next dairy promotion event by contacting UDIM at 1-800-241-MILK. Or find it online at milkmeansmore.org.

Look to your local Pioneer sales professional for expert advice and the latest products.

You’ll get premium quality, high-tonnage corn silage hybrids, including an extended lineup of BMR products, plus high-yielding alfalfa varieties and unique, patented inoculants. For homegrown feed that gives you a home-field advantage, talk to your local Pioneer sales professional. Pioneer.com/SilageZone

The DuPont Oval Logo is a registered trademark of DuPont. PiOneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. ® TM SM , , Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer. © 2014 PHii. DUPPFO14015VA_090114_MMM

merchandise

Laundry Soaps: Great for Farm and Home The MMPA Warehouse handles four different types of laundry soaps, two in liquid and two in powder form. In addition to being excellent for farm use, they work equally well as household detergents.

Our four laundry soap products are listed below.

Liquid Laundry Soap (1 gallon container) from Ecolab comes in a 1 gallon container and is designed for use on heavily-soiled work clothes, but is also safe for delicates and fine fabrics. This product can be used in hot or warm washes, and it has a nice lemon-fresh smell. Directions for use on light loads are 1/4 cup per load, and 1/2 cup should be used for heavy loads.

Towel Brite (100 pounds) by A & L is a commercial powdered soap for use on cloth udder prep towels. It is a concentrated, biodegradable product containing organic chlorine bleach. There is no reason to add more bleach to your wash, and this type of bleach is gentler than liquid bleach. Directions for use are: 1 ounce for every 3 to 5 gallons of water (will work in any temperature). For most washer cycles, this would equate to about 1/2 cup per load.

Stock # 6004 Member Price: $13.73

Liquid Lustersuds (15 gallon container) from Ecolab is an industrial soap-based product that works especially well on cotton fabrics. Although designed originally for shirt and diaper laundries, it can work well for cleaning cloth udder prep towels. Lustersuds contains no phosphorous or bleach and will work well in warm and hot water cycles on all washable fabrics.

It is recommended for use in softened water, and it is compatible with dry or liquid bleaches.

Stock # 3524 Member Price: $183.44

Vendor Changes: As of mid-November, Ecolab acquired A & L, also known as EXL. This acquisition will make both companies stronger for the future. We were informed no staff changes were

Stock # 6980 Member Price: $211.03

planned and that we would still be working with the reps

Chor Mate Laundry Detergent (100 pounds) from Ecolab is a powdered, heavy-duty cleaner that can be used for cleaning normal laundry, barn clothes and cloth udder prep towels. It contains no phosphorous or bleach and has excellent wetting agents. The major active ingredients are sodium carbonate and sodium metasilicate. Top loading washers use 1/2 cup of product and front loading washers use 1/3 cup. For heavy soils, it is recommended to use an extra 1/3 cup.

who have serviced us for so long. Pat Mitchell, who has

Stock # 6076 Member Price: $96.79

have more information on this subject as we move forward.

been with Ecolab for a number of years, will continue to serve our members with his usual high level of excellence.

Unfortunately for us, Kurt Fiene from A & L has accepted another position that will allow him to travel less and spend more time with his family. We want to thank Kurt for his excellent service and wish him well in the future. We will

Improve bottom-line $$. Lower feed costs. Maximize production.

Ingredients from your trusted source.

Zeeland Farm Services, Inc.速 MI: 866.888.7082 Fax: 616.772.7067 www.zfsinc.com

Low Fat Hominy

Messenger | December 2014

7% minimum protein 7% maximum fiber 4% minimum fat

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Citrus Pulp

16% maximum fiber 6% minimum protein 2.1% maximum calcium 2% minimum fat

Valero Meal

34% minimum protein 13% maximum crude fiber 4% minimum fat

Traditional ZFS速 Menu Soybean meal, soybean hulls, cereal feed, cottonseed, distillers, gluten, canola meal, beet pulp, wet feeds, and more!

Order Your MMPA Merchandise through your milk hauler or call: Duane Farmer Supervisor 989-317-8370 Toll Free: 877-367-6455 Orders (Novi): 800-572-5824 then dial 2 Fax: 989-317-8372

premiums

Somatic Cell Count premiums and deductions (in addition to Federal Order SCC Adjustments computed in the producer pay price) will be paid at the following levels: 50,000 or below.................................+55¢/cwt.

51,000-75,000.....................................+50¢/cwt.

76,000-100,000...................................+45¢/cwt.

101,000-125,000................................+40¢/cwt.

126,000-150,000................................+35¢/cwt.

151,000-175,000................................+30¢/cwt.

176,000-200,000................................+25¢/cwt.

201,000-225,000................................+20¢/cwt.

226,000-250,000................................+15¢/cwt.

251,000-300,000................................+00¢/cwt.

301,000-400,000................................- 30¢/cwt.

401,000-500,000..............................-$1.00/cwt.

501,000-600,000..............................-$1.50/cwt.

601,000 and greater.......................-$2.00/cwt.

A payment of 5¢/cwt. will be added for each of the following, if the count is equal to or below: • 10,000 Raw Bacteria Count • 20,000 Pre-Incubated (PI) Count

There will be a deduction of 10¢/cwt. for: • Greater than 100,000 Raw Bacteria Count A high raw count deduction will be waived if the producer has received the quality premium the previous three months for raw bacteria count.

To qualify for Raw and PI Bacteria Count premiums there must not be any of the following during the month: • Positive drug residue • Abnormal freeze points • High load count shipment or rejected load shipment • #3 or #4 sediment • Raw Bacteria count over 100,000 The count levels for raw and PI will be determined on one test run per month.

To qualify for MMPA SCC premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month To qualify for MMPA volume premiums there must be: • No abnormal freeze points during the month

• An average somatic cell count of 750,000 or less

MMPA Member Testing Fees Payment for testing will be made through an automatic milk check deduction.

All costs are listed per individual sample.

Cow Tests: $1 Cow samples may be tested for: Culture for Streptococcus agalactiae, Strep non ag, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staph, gram negative and/or SCC. Additional testing can be coordinated through your MMPA member representative to include: Raw bacteria count and components.

All herd tests must be scheduled with the laboratory through your MMPA member representative.

Additional Tests Available: All costs are listed per individual sample.

• Mycoplasma Cultures..................... $12 • Bacteriology Cultures..................... $13 – Includes identification of bacteria and drug susceptibility.

• Bovine Viral Diarrhea - PCR..................................................... $40 - ELISA.................................................. $6 • Johne’s Milk Test - PCR..................................................... $40 - ELISA – cows.................................... $6 - ELISA – tank..................................... $10 • Bovine Leukosis Test - ELISA – cows.................................... $6 - ELISA – tank..................................... $10 • Milk Pregnancy ELISA..................... $4.50 Lab test results by mail: $2/month

All tests must be scheduled through your MMPA member representative or the laboratory for proper sample submission protocol.

Chemical, Sanitizer and Teat Dip Contact Information These are service personnel only.

Order your Member Merchandise supplies through your hauler.

ECOLAB 24 - Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-328-0026 For Service, call the Ecolab Service Message Center 1-800-392-3392 or Stan Palmer 5303 E. Swan Drive #3 Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-797-2101 Ben Johnson 4461 Cambridge Dr. Port Huron, MI 48060 810-824-0636 Jason Koerth 7509 Aborcrest Dr. Portage, MI 49024 269-207-3773 Pat Mitchell 7273 N. Rollin Hwy. Addison, MI 49220 517-403-0928

A & L Laboratories 24 - Hour Medical Emergency Hotline: 1-800-424-9300 Jeff Timm NW 8665 C.R. M Shawano, WI 54166 612-840-0555

Messenger | December 2014

MMPA Quality Premium Program

33

FREELINERS

To place your ad please call 1-800-572-5824, ext. 202, or fax 248-426-3412, or email your ad to: Muszynski@mimilk.com.

Bulls

Dairy Equipment

Freeliner Policy

Registered Holstein Bulls: We now have a nice selection of service age bulls, sired by top AI sires. Green Meadow Farms, Elsie, MI. 989-862-4291 or see our website at www.greenmeadowfarms.com.

Surge 100+ vacuum pump with rebuilt 5 ½ hp. motor, $350.

989-727-3252.

The Freeliners column is open to current MMPA members who wish to advertise—at no charge—goods or services relating directly to their dairy farm operations.

Service age Holstein bulls: Call Steve Alexander, 810-622-8548 evenings or 810-404-8548.

Service age Reg. Holstein bulls: Deep pedigrees, some red carriers.

Jenesis Genetics, 231-924-6163 or 231-225-8615.

Reg. Holstein breeding bulls: All AI sired from top bulls, b&w, red, red carrier and some polled, high production, low SCC herd. Bulls are priced to sell. Ver Hage Holsteins, 269-673-4886 or 269-217-6076, ask for Tim. www.verhageholsteins.com.

Cows & Heifers Fresh heifers – take your pick, $2,100 a piece. 810-724-8825.

Equipment 2007 Kuhn Knight 8132 spreader. $1,800. Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

Crop sprayer, George White 450gal., 36-ft. booms, newer Delavan pump, $2,500. 616-681-9668.

Messenger | December 2014

1 Harvestore Alliance unloader for 20-ft. silo with motor and oiler, excellent shape, $5,500 or best offer.

810-648-2379.

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Penta 3010 low profile vertical TMR mixer, Gehl 1265 Forage Chopper, hay pickup & two-row corn head, 2 Gehl 980 Silage wagons with 12-ton running gears, tractor weights, Ford Oliver, I.H., suitcase weights. Call 989-271-8757.

Gehl 170 grinder mixer always house, no scale, $8,500.

616-636-8257.

2014 John Deere 7180SPFH 4x4 autolube KP. 180 hours, excellent condition. Financing available. Call 989-464-5436.

Dairy Farm Dairy Farm, Cheboygan, MI 367.11 acres, which include double 14 parallel parlor put in soon to be 4 years. 2,000 gal. bulk tank, 400 free-stall barn, calf barn, commodity barn, hay barn, maternity barn, shop pole barn.

45-acre pasture by barn.

7-bedroom, L-shaped brick home, well maintained, built 1976. Can send packet with more info if interested. We also have all the equipment, which has been appraised and a list is also available. We have most all of 2014 crops in and available. This can be a turnkey operation or farm, and equipment can be sold separately.

We also rent 670 acres paying from $10 to $40 an acre. The $40 one is the highest. This would also work as a perfect place to raise your heifers. Please contact the Brown farm at 231-625-2036 or Jeff at 517-202-9421. Price has been lowered to $999,000.

Wanted Registered Holsteins.

Call Brent at 989-551-0681.

Full time herdsman for a family dairy. Mechanical ability a must.

Send resume to the Cedar Springs Post Office, P.O. Box 345, Cedar Springs, MI 49319-0345.

Looking for a herdsman on a 400-cow dairy near Blanchard, Michigan. Contact T J Okkema at 989-560-7444.

Miscellaneous Australian Shepherd pups born 10/9/14, all colors, shots & wormed.

Both parents on site. Make great farm dogs. 810-569-6599.

• An item submitted will be published for no more than two consecutive months (one month, unless otherwise requested). After that, it will be withdrawn.

• It will be published again for no more than two consecutive months only if the member resubmits the item by writing or calling the Novi office.

• Reference to a name of a firm or other commercial enterprise with which a member is involved will be deleted, with permission of the member.

• If the member does not wish such deletion, he/she may choose to have the item published as a Classified Ad at the regular per-line Classified Ad rate.

• Freeliners must be received by the 10th of the month preceding the desired month of publication.

Example: To be included in the February issue, the freeliner must be at the MMPA office

by January 10.

www.mimilk.com

classifieds

Classified Ads ($20 per ad up to six lines) All ads must be received by the 10th of the month before the month of desired publication. Send check or money order for $20 for up to 6 lines with your order. MMPA neither sponsors nor endorses products or services advertised in the Messenger. You may submit your ads by: MAIL:

Classified Ads - Michigan Milk Messenger P.O. BOX 8002 Novi, MI 48376-8002

Email: Muszynski@mimilk.com Fax: 248-426-3412

REGISTERED HOLSTEIN BULLS Over 100 service age bulls for your selection!

A special herd sire or a truck load of breeder bulls.

Ready to go to work on your farm!

• Sired by the top sires from the U.S. and Canada • From our top production cows

GREEN MEADOW FARMS 6400 Hollister Road, Elsie, MI 48831 Phone: 989-862-4291

www.greenmeadowfarms.com

Concrete Grooving and Texturing Call: Jeff Brisky - Owner Toll Free: 1-800-294-1202

OPPERMAN GROOVING: We can fix your scabbled floors. Diamond sawed grooves, no hammering or cracking of concrete. No hoof damage. Call Opperman Grooving Inc., Portland. 517-647-7381.

DAVIDSON CEMENT GROOVING, INC: NO water needed. Wider, rougher grooves for better traction.

We also offer texturing for your previously grooved floors. Three operators will travel Michigan and other states. No interest payment terms. Est. 1987. Call 800-365-3361.

CONCRETE GROOVING BY TRI-STATE SCABBLING, home of the 2” wide groove. Best traction, lowest prices. 800-554-2288. www.tristatescabbling.com A SURE WAY TO KEEP YOUR COWS UPRIGHT! Concrete grooving/texturing brings existing grooves back to 100% efficiency and provides high quality traction in new & old concrete, fast service.

BLUE RIBBON HOOF TRIMMING, LLC. 989-635-1494.

FOR SALE: 5000-4000-30002500-2000-1500 OH MUELLER LATE MODEL BULK TANK MILK TANKS, complete, will trade.

800-558-0112.

Cell: 1-716-353-1137

Messenger | December 2014

WANTED TO BUY: USED BULK MILK TANKS, 200 gallons & larger, Sunset & Mueller, 800-558-0112.

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PTO and Automatic Start Generators 1-800-248-8070 M-40 South Hamilton, MI 49419

Dry hay & straw (large & small square bales) and barley for feed.

Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

Alfalfa haylage (excellent and fair grades) & corn silage. Call 989-723-1886 or 989-277-1414.

POLICIES

MMPA Policy on Drug Residue in Milk MILK ON FARM – DRUG RESIDUE SUSPECTED

MILK SHIPPED — POSITIVE drugs CONFIRMED

If a member suspects milk in the farm bulk tank contains drug residue:

If a member ships milk from the farm and testing by approved laboratory methods show that the milk contained drug residue, the member will be assessed the penalties imposed by the state regulatory agency and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums.

1. Call a MMPA member representative to have the milk in the tank tested. A “hold” must be placed on the tank contents until the test results are known.

OR 2. The member can test the milk on the farm. If dumped, the member must be sure to take the stick reading, record the number of pounds of milk and report the information to their membership representative.

• If the tank tests negative (no drugs present), the milk may be released and shipped.

• If the tank tests positive (drugs present), the membership representative will authorize the member to dump the tank of milk. The member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.* • If for any reason MMPA personnel must pick up samples at the farm for testing three or more times within 12 consecutive months, the member involved will be charged $25 per trip.

If a loss is incurred by MMPA due to the disposal and/or non-marketability of a load of milk or milk products containing drug residue, then the member responsible will be provided an invoice for the entire value of the loss plus transportation and disposal costs as required by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.

This invoice may be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier.

MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made.

Milk from that member’s farm tank must be tested and found clear of drugs before the next tank of milk can be picked up.

A hauler whose entire load sample shows the presence of drugs will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all show negative.

ALL POSITIVE DRUG RESIDUE SHIPMENTS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

MMPA Policy on Drug Milk Quality QUALITY QUESTIONABLE

If the milk is dumped, the member will be paid 75% of the value of the tank of milk involved.* In order to receive payment for an added water voluntary dump, the member must install a Swingline Safety Switch. The Swingline Safety Switch can be ordered from the Mt. Pleasant warehouse.

The MMPA member representative will verify the switch has been installed. Reimbursement for the Swingline Safety Switch and the voluntary dump will then be made to the member.

The member assumes all liability for losses incurred as a result of shipping poor quality or contaminated milk.

MILK SHIPPED – HIGH BACTERIA COUNT If… 1. a load of milk is received (unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and, 2. a sample from the load has a bacteria count of 300,000 or more and, 3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members having a bacteria count of 300,000 or more, then the member or members involved will be charged the value of one-half of one day’s production** and will be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums. * The member will only be paid for two (2) voluntary dumps in a rolling

12 month period. ** For members using more than one bulk tank, the assessment will be based on the value of milk in the tank or tanks in violation of the MMPA quality policy.

REJECTED LOAD SHIPMENT If… 1. a load of milk is rejected (not unloaded) at a dairy processing plant and, 2. the milk cannot be sold through normal Grade A channels for reasons of quality which results in the load being sold or disposed of at a loss to MMPA, and, 3. testing of the individual member samples on that load identifies the member or members that caused the contamination or rejection of the load, then, the member or members responsible will be charged the full value of the loss to MMPA plus transportation and disposal costs, and be disqualified for raw and PI bacteria count premiums except for loads rejected for temperature.

4. MMPA will provide an invoice to the member for the amount of the loss, to be submitted to the member’s insurance carrier.

MMPA must receive settlement on the invoice within 90 days of issuance. If settlement is not made within 90 days, the full amount of the invoice will be deducted from the next milk check unless other settlement arrangements are made.

If a member has three or more occurances within 12 consecutive months, that member must appear before the MMPA board of directors to review steps taken on the farm to correct the quality problem which will enable MMPA to continue to market the milk for this member.

A hauler whose entire load sample exceeds 300,000 cells per mL bacteria count will be charged the amount of an average shipment on that load if the individual member samples all are less than 100,000.

A hauler will be responsible for all costs incurred by MMPA for loads rejected for temperature.

Messenger | December 2014

When a member suspects that the milk in the farm bulk tank is of poor quality they should call a MMPA member representative who will authorize milk in the tank to be dumped. If the member dumps the milk on their own, they must be sure to take the stick reading and record the number of pounds of milk, and report the information to the member representative.

Charges and assessments made under this program will be withheld from milk checks of members or haulers involved.

37

HAULER

MARKET REPORT

Statistical Summary for Milk Marketed in October 2014 Market Statistics - Mideast Federal Order #33 (pounds)

National Trends

This Month

Production

% Year Ago Change

Total Class 1 Sales

548,877,240

576,503,103

-4.79

Total Class 2 Sales

312,079,177

179,282,869

+74.07

Total Class 3 Sales

314,552,655

486,718,967

-35.37

Total Class 4 Sales

243,176,826

Total Production

85,973,920 +182.85

1,418,685,898

1,328,478,859

38.7%

43.4%

Class 1 Utilization

+6.79

2013 % Change

California

3,427 3,338 +2.7

Wisconsin

2,337 2,283 +2.4

Idaho

1,167 1,110 +5.1

New York

1,156

Texas

894

1,122

+3.0

801 +11.6

Michigan

814 760 +7.1

Avg. Daily Production per Farm.................................................... 7,767

Minnesota

766 745 +2.8

Avg. Protein Test...............................................................................3.15%

New Mexico

665

Washington

549 525 +4.6

Ohio

457 444 +2.9

Indiana

326 319 +2.2

Total Producers.................................................................................. 5,892

Avg. Butterfat Test............................................................................3.77% Avg. Oth Solids Test.........................................................................5.72% Avg. SCC (MMPA).......................................................................... 170,000

Component Pricing Information Mideast Federal Order #33 Protein Price/lb. ............................................................................ $3.7362 Butterfat Price/lb. ........................................................................ $2.8507 Other Solids Price/lb. .................................................................. $0.4670 Class III Price @ 3.5%.......................................................................$23.82 Prod. Price Diff/cwt. (Mich. Mkt)................................................ ($0.71) Uniform Price @ 3.5%.....................................................................$23.11 SCC Adjustment/cwt./1000.....................................................$0.00115 Messenger | December 2014

2014

Pennsylvania 890 859 +3.6

Mideast Federal Order #33

38

(million pounds)

AMS Survey Prices Product

Monthly Avg

Cheese/lb............................................................................................. 2.2914 Butter/lb. .............................................................................................. 2.5255 Nonfat Dry Milk/lb. .......................................................................... 1.4900 Dry Whey/lb. ....................................................................................... 0.6525

652

+2.0

*Total U.S

16,048 15,449

+3.9

*U.S Y-T-D

161,370 157,667

+2.3

*For 23 States

MMPA STAFF

MMPA Field Staff*

Novi Headquarters

Northwest Area

Main Office Local line.................................................................... 248-474-6672 Toll free....................................................................... 800-572-5824

Ben Chapin, Supervisor, Blanchard.......................989-289-0731 Frank Brazeau, Energy Auditor, Oconto, WI.......906-250-0337 Lyndsay Earl, Ludington............................................231-519-2455 Deb Navarre, Leroy......................................................248-520-3580

General Manager Joe Diglio............................................................................... ext. 200

Sarah Michalek, Portland..........................................248-305-0537

Member Services Dean Letter............................................................... 989-289-9251

Northeast Area

Milk Sales/Dispatch Carl Rasch.............................................................................. ext. 244

Christy Dinsmoore, Supervisor & Mastitis Management Specialist, Fairgrove...248-513-7920 Lindsay Green, Energy Auditor, East Lansing... 989-488-8159 Ashley Herriman, Alpena..........................................269-245-6632 Angie Kirsch, Harbor Beach ................................... 231-414-4539

Laboratory Supervisor Patti Huttula......................................................................... ext. 219 Manufactured Product Sales Jim Dodson........................................................................... ext. 229

Drew Rupprecht, Clio................................................ 269-986-6793

Quality Amandeep Dhillon............................................................. ext. 305

South Area

Credit/Insurance Cheryl Schmandt................................................................ ext. 210

Ed Zuchnik, Supervisor & Energy Auditor, Three Rivers................................269-967-7351 Krista Beeker, Topeka, IN ........................................ 269-986-6792 Dave Brady, Grass Lake.....517-522-5965 or (c) 517-937-9061 Emily Smith, Bronson..................................................269-535-0822

Human Resources Cindy Tilden.......................................................................... ext. 220 Member Relations/Public Affairs Sheila Burkhardt................................................................. ext. 208

Elyse Martin, Energy Auditor, Charlotte..............810-701-6460

Data Processing Gregory Schulkey............................................................... ext. 237

Other Services

Member Communications Alex Schnabelrauch........................................................... ext. 211

Bulk Tank Calibration Gary Best, Lapeer.................810-664-4984 or (c) 586-484-9279 Merchandise Coordinator, Energy Auditor Katie Pierson, Coleman..............................................989-289-9686 Mastitis Management Specialist Steve Lehman, Ithaca.......... 989-875-3441 or (c) 89-330-1638

Manufacturing Plants Constantine Dave Davis, Plant Manager................................. 269-435-2835 Ovid Colt Johnson, Plant Manager............................ 989-834-2221

MMPA Labs Novi (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

In Michigan.....................................................................800-572-5824 Toll Free............................................................................800-233-2405 Ovid (Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.).......................................989-834-2515

Merchandise - Mt. Pleasant Duane Farmer, Supervisor Main Line................................................................................989-317-8370 Toll Free...................................................................................877-367-6455 Orders (Novi).................................................800-572-5824, then dial 2 Fax..............................................................................................989-317-8372

*If you are unable to

reach your assigned member representative, please contact the representatives listed in your area.

Messenger | December 2014

Constantine (Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)......................800-391-7560

39